Scion Chronology

2004 – All-new xB, along with xA, is introduced to the U.S.-market in California first, beginning on June 9, 2003 with a staggered rollout to other parts of the country in early 2004.2004 – xB Release Series 1.0 is introduced in March 20042004 – Edmunds.com listed Scions as "Top 10 Sound Systems in Cars Under $30,000 for 2004"2004 – Edmunds.com named xB as "Most Wanted Wagon under $15,000"2004 – Newsweek Magazine named xB as "The Way Coolest New Car" in their design issue2004 – "Best Cars for Families" economy category AAA and Parents magazine2004 – Widebody xB named Mother's Wax 2004 Tuner Car Award for top manufacturer's display vehicle at International Auto Salon (IAS) 2004 – Widebody xB named IAS custom show-off by Super Street magazine2004 – Awarded a Bronze in the 2004 Industrial Design Excellence Awards2004 – "CR Recommended Small Car" and "CR Recommended Best in Class Acceleration and Fuel Economy" – Consumer Reports Magazine2005 – xB Release Series 2.0 goes on sale in March 20052005 – Life Magazine names Scion xB one of six "Sexiest Cars of the Year"2005 – Edmunds.com listed xB as one of "Top 10 Cars for Drivers under 25"2005 – Edmunds.com listed xB as "Most Wanted Wagon under $15,000" second year in a row2005 – Money Magazine named xB "Best Crossover" in their "Best Car Values 2005" March 2005 issue2005 – AAA and Parents Magazine list Scion xB on their "2005 Best Cars for Families" under "Economy Vehicle" category for second year in a row2005 – Consumers Digest "Best Buy" in small cars2005 – Kelley Blue Book lists Scion xB as one of "Top 10 Coolest Cars Under $18,000"2005 – Scion xB wins AutoPacific 2005 Compact Car Vehicle Satisfaction Award (09.15.05)2006 – Scion xB gets three new wheel cover designs, shared with xA, and new audio headunit2006 – Edmunds.com listed xB as "Editors' Most Wanted Wagon under $15,000" third year in a row2006 – xB gets mid-year enhancements beginning with December 2005 production2006 – xB Release Series 3.0 goes on sale in mid-February 20062006 – Kelley Blue Book lists Scion xB as one of "Top 10 Coolest Cars Under $18,000"2006 – CY 2006 - Edmunds.com listed xB as "Consumers' Most Wanted Wagon under $15,000" for the third year in a row.2006 – xB is listed as winner of "Small Wagon" category for Motorists' Choice Awards 2006 – xB Release Series 4.0 goes on sale in November 20062006 – First generation xB production stops in December 20062008 – Second-generation, 2008 xB goes on sale in late April 20072008 – Kelley Blue Book names Scion xB as Best Resale Value in Wagon category and Best Resale Value Top 102008 – xB receives 2008 Automotive Excellence Award from Popular Mechanics for Best Value2008 – About.com names xB to its Best New Cars 2008 list 2008 – xB Release Series 5.0 goes on sale in February 20082008 – xB named "Best New Car" under $20,000 by Kiplinger Magazine2008 – xB receives Drivers' Choice "Best of the Year" and "Best Small Car" from MotorWeek2008 – Intellichoice names xB "Best Overall Value" for small wagon class2008 – Kelley Blue Book lists Scion xB as one of "Top 10 Coolest Cars Under $18,000"2008 – Gayot.com names Scion xB as one of "Top 10 Small Cars"

2004: The all-new 2004 Scion xB targeted the growing Gen Y market with innovative styling that elicited emotion and demanded to be noticed. Beyond its aggressive styling, the xB was a versatile subcompact with impressive performance, a vast amount of interior space and enormous potential for personal customization by the consumer.

The exterior look of Scion xB was cutting edge with a box shape and sharp edges. It hunkered down low over its wheels and rose tall and wide with flat panels and 90-degree angles. This achieved maximum space from minimal exterior dimensions.

The xB was powered by a 1.5-liter, four-cylinder engine and equipped with variable valve timing with intelligence (VVT-i), producing 108 horsepower at 6,000 RPM and 105 lb-ft. of torque at 4,200 RPM. Weighing in at just around 2,400 pounds, the xB had an excellent power-to-weight ratio, providing energetic shift response.

Like all Scion products, the xB was mono-spec, making ordering simple. Thanks to its long list of standard equipment, the only decisions the xB buyer needed to make were transmission, color, and accessories.

The xB was equipped with standard Anti-Lock Brakes (ABS) with Brake Assist (BA) and Electronic Brake-force Distribution (EBD). The xB also featured Vehicle Stability Control (VSC) with traction control (TRAC) as standard equipment.

2005: All 2005 Scions came equipped with a new 160-watt, six-speaker AM/FM/CD Pioneer sound system that was XM satellite radio ready and featured Scion Sound Processing (SSP) with three pre-set equalizer settings and MP3-media compatibility. The Scion Pioneer audio system added a user-customizable welcome screen similar to the feature found on cell phones, and Sound Retouch digital equalization for clearer MP3-CD sound. 2006: For 2006, all Scions received a redesigned Pioneer AM/FM/CD audio head unit. Scion also offered music lovers a new, optional Apple iPod compatible audio upgrade from Pioneer that integrated the world's most popular digital music player with the car's sound system, offering music navigation, power and display.

Beginning with December 2005 production, xB received mid-year enhancements, including new seat fabric, a standard new steering wheel with integrated audio controls and two new exterior colors, Salsa Red Pearl and Shadow Mica, which replaced Black Cherry Pearl and Camouflage.First generation xB production stopped in December 2006.

2007: xB skips 2007 model year.

2008: All-new for the 2008 model year, the second-generation xB became larger and more powerful than before. Riding on an all-new chassis, this xB was a foot longer and almost three inches wider than its predecessor.

The all-new xB was powered by a 2.4 L dual overhead-cam four-cylinder engine with Variable Valve Timing with intelligence (VVT-i) which produced 158 horsepower, 55 more than the previous generation. The xB featured offered a five-speed manual transmission or a four-speed automatic with sequential shifting, a first for automatic four-speeds in the Scion line-up.

The 2008 xB came generously equipped with new standard features including four-wheel disc brakes; tire pressure monitor system; front seat-mounted side airbags; front and rear side curtain airbags; 16-inch steel wheels, one inch larger than its predecessor, with a choice of three wheel covers shared with xD; cruise control; 160-watt maximum output Pioneer audio system with iPod connectivity and a mini-jack port; tilt steering wheel; multi-informational display; turn signal indicators integrated into the side mirrors; and driver's seat armrest.

All Scions also offered a Pioneer premium audio system which added one more feature to the standard head unit, the ability to download "skins" to play on the OEL faceplate. Customers could download images, four-second video clips and eight-second movies from Pioneer's website. In addition, Pioneer software allowed customers to burn their own images and movies onto a CD and upload them onto the available head unit.

The optional premium audio system also came with head unit outputs on the rear allowing for the addition of external amps to boost power to additional speakers and subwoofers.

Also new to the accessory line up for the 2008 model year was the Scion navigation system. The system featured a 160-watt maximum power audio/video/navigation unit with seven-inch LCD touch screen.

2005: The all-new 2004 tC added a new level of excitement to Scion. The sleek and sophisticated tC sat low and wide and though it had the look of a two-door coupe, it featured the versatility and utility of a hatchback.

Like all Scions, tC came mono-spec, with front side airbags and front and rear curtain airbags as the only factory option. Its extensive standard equipment list included the first all-glass panorama moonroof in the segment and rear seats that reclined up to 45 degrees and adjusted into 10 different positions.

The tC offered buyers the chance to personalize their vehicle with a choice of nearly 40 accessories for dealer installation. A rear spoiler, 18-inch wheels and tires, and various interior trim components could be added to suit personal taste. For drivers who wanted even more sport in their tC, accessories from Toyota Racing Development (TRD) included a 19-inch wheel and tire package, suspension components, and a supercharger that boosted horsepower to approximately 200.

2006: The 2006 tC came with a new three-spoke steering wheel with integrated audio controls and a redesigned Pioneer AM/FM/CD audio head unit. For 2006, Scion offered music lovers a new, optional Apple iPod compatible audio upgrade from Pioneer that integrated the world's most popular digital music player with the car's sound system, offering music navigation, power and display.

2007: The 2007 tC received a sun visor with a sliding extension, updated seat fabric and direct tire pressure monitor system. Scion also offered a new Spec Package model aimed at the tuner segment with a lower price point than the standard model. The tC Spec Package model included steel wheels, 205/55R16 tires, seven-spoke wheel covers a fixed glass panorama roof, unique upholstery, and a urethane steering wheel. This low-volume model was distinguished by special treatment to the grille and headlight garnish and offered in just four colors (instead of the standard model's seven) – Super White, Flint Mica, Black Sand Pearl and Classic Silver Metallic.

2008: For 2008 tC received a new upper mesh grille, lattice lower grille, projector-type low beam headlights with black trim, and rear tail lights similar in style to the tC's headlights with round combination lamps. Inside the 2008 tC added a deep orange combination meter on the instrument panel, silver-colored accents on the door assist grips and center cluster, updated seat fabric, a Pioneer subwoofer located under the cargo area, Apple iPod connectivity, seat-mounted side airbags, and front and rear side curtain airbags. Azure Pearl and Black Cherry Pearl exterior colors were replaced with Sizzling Crimson Mica and Wave Line Pearl. The tC Spec Package model, a blank canvas for the tuner community to express its creativity, also received the grille, deep orange combination meter and silver-colored interior accents in addition to the new airbags and iPod connectivity.

2008: The all-new xD urban five-door subcompact became the new third vehicle in the Scion line-up. Its urban personality was communicated by its wide stance, thick muscular body, and accentuated wheel flares. The xD rode on 16-inch steel wheels with 195/60 R16 tires. Powered by the lively 1.8 L four-cylinder engine with dual Variable Valve Timing with intelligence (VVT-i), the xD generated 128 horsepower.

Designers focused on a clean, comfortable and futuristic interior style. The xD's unique, radar-like speedometer and tachometer were consolidated into one circular gauge centered on the instrument panel.

For a level cargo space the xD featured front bucket seats and 60/40 fold flat rear seats. The rear seats were designed for comfort and utility as they could slide forward and back up to six inches for additional leg room and cargo area. In addition, they could recline ten degrees and be adjusted into five different positions.

The xD came mono-spec like all Scion vehicles. Customers needed to choose exterior color and transmission type, while the only factory option was Vehicle Stability Control (VSC) with Traction Control (TRAC).

As Scion supports personalization, over 40 accessories were available for the xD from Scion Genuine and TRD. Scion's Optomize program also offered a Five Axis body kit.

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